Grand Imam Meets Italian President, Affirms Need to Uphold the Middle East Peace Plan, and Calls for Facilitating the Entry of Aid into Gaza
Grand Imam to the Italian President: We appreciate the stance of the Italian people and their mass demonstrations rejecting the aggression against Gaza
The Grand Imam to the Italian President: The Grand Imam of al-Azhar plays an important role in promoting peace, presenting the tolerant image of Islam, and confronting violence and hatred
The Italian President: We appreciate the efforts of the Grand Imam of al-Azhar in promoting the values of world peace and human fraternity
The Italian President to the Grand Imam: Your speech at the opening session of the Peace Conference conveyed important messages and practical recommendations for achieving peace
The Italian President to the Grand Imam: We appreciate Egypt’s efforts to end the aggression against Gaza and call on all parties to uphold the peace plan and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid
His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of al-Azhar ash-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in the Italian capital, Rome, on the sidelines of his participation in the International Meeting for Peace, entitled ‘Daring Peace.’
Notably, the Grand Imam stated that al-Azhar appreciates the stance of the Italian people in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their participation in mass demonstrations rejecting the killing, displacement, and genocide of innocent civilians in Gaza, which has continued for two years. He further added: “Hope is placed in these young and just people, and in their counterparts across the world, to uphold the dignity of every human being, regardless of color, faith, or race.” He also expressed his hope that Italy, with its just stance, would join the ranks of the countries that have recently recognized the State of Palestine, as a step toward establishing an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds ash-Sharif as its capital.
His Eminence emphasized that al-Azhar is committed to promoting peace, the core message of Islam, and to presenting the tolerant image of this true religion. He noted that al-Azhar has taken the initiative to engage with religious and cultural institutions around the world, an effort that culminated in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with his dear brother, His Holiness Pope Francis. He expressed gratitude to Allah that this initiative continues to bear fruit to this day, yielding significant outcomes in fostering dialogue among religions and cultures. He added: “We are confident in the power of dialogue and acquaintance to confront racism, extremism, and hatred.”
For his part, Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed his appreciation for the Grand Imam’s efforts in promoting the values of peace and human fraternity, as well as his admiration for the friendship that had united His Eminence with His Holiness Pope Francis. He also praised the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by the two great religious leaders in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi, stating, “Contemporary reality has demonstrated the urgent need for this document, which has transcended the limits of place and become a milestone in the pursuit of global peace and interreligious dialogue.”
Moreover, the Italian President expressed his appreciation for the speech delivered by the Grand Imam at the opening session of the International Meeting for Peace, organized by the Sant’Egidio Community. He noted that the address included important recommendations, particularly the emphasis on the need for everyone to recognize that achieving peace is a noble goal, one that outweighs any party’s victory over another. He stressed that humanity today requires solidarity and continued cooperation between His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, to further promote interfaith dialogue and provide inspiring examples for young people on peaceful coexistence and mutual acceptance.
The Italian President affirmed his country’s support for the Middle East Peace Agreement, which was adopted in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, and expressed his appreciation for the intensive Egyptian efforts, led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to reach solutions aimed at ending the aggression against Gaza. He also encouraged all parties to continue implementing and adhering to the provisions of the agreement to facilitate the transition to the second phase, stressing that dialogue must be the foundation upon which relations are built in politics, just as it is in interfaith dialogue.
During the meeting, the Grand Imam referred to the outcomes of the dialogue between al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Catholic Church, particularly initiatives aimed at empowering women and equipping young people to participate in peacebuilding. He stressed that this relationship has fostered mutual acceptance and promoted positive coexistence in many societies, expressing his hope for the continuation of these efforts in cooperation with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in the service of spreading global peace.
